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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Fiber cement siding
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Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 29 Oct 2022 11:17
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Wife wants to go with fiber cement siding on the new home we are building. Ive never used this before and not familiar with it. Any sugestions ?

pabear89
Member
# Posted: 29 Oct 2022 11:53 - Edited by: pabear89
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Use a mask when cutting with power tools, And power nailing is best way to attach. Just test the nail depth first, you want a flush not recessed as it will crack the board. Hammer strikes make marks or cracks.
I use a RotoZip tool for holes cut in the plank centers.

Follow the instructions on how much gap for expansion.

I like to place the first board all around the house first hand so they are at the same level when you look at it
from a corner view.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 29 Oct 2022 12:26 - Edited by: ICC
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We have used tons of the Hardie brand cement fiber lap siding. You do need a respirator to avoid breathing the silica dust if you use a saw to cut the material. The special carbide toothed blades cut well with the low tooth count minimizing dust but there is still a lot.

There are shears that produce no dust. Some are pricey, but I love 'em. Makita

There are other brands and even accessories cutter heads that use a drill motor for power. That Makita link has a photo of how it cuts out a strip of material. We have had to replace the blades. Cordless. Dewalt has a cordless too. Shears are my preferred cutter.

Read and follow the installation instructions and it will last a long long time. It holds paint very well.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 29 Oct 2022 14:10
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I bought a circular saw and blade just for cement siding. I didn't have any issues nailing. It takes paint really well.

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 30 Oct 2022 11:47
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Thanks folks. The only brand available is Allure. Research shows that Allure is 5/16"thick. 50yr warranty. Hardi is 1/4" thick. 30 year warranty.
Do the butt joints just butt together ? Or is there a component that needs to be installed also ? Maybe a crazy question but does how cold it is outside and the material temperature matter. Or will the cold effect how brittle it could be ?
Any installation tips is good. A picture of the house while installing the metal roofing. Thanks for the help folks
West side
West side
Other side
Other side


ICC
Member
# Posted: 30 Oct 2022 15:48 - Edited by: ICC
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The Hardie spacing requirement has changed over the years. Now they say moderate contact. A weather-resistant strip is to be used behind the butt joint; and hey have h-clips available for those who want to sorta cover the joint. We had a few homeowners that did not like the butted appearance. . We would caulk the butts except when the homeowner wanted to use the pre-finished variety. I don't like the pre-finished as it takes extra care in handling. Check what the Allure brand installation instructions state. There is also a specified clearance when a horizontal edge of the Hardie lap siding gets close to another surface, such as when installing a lap siding board just above a deck or concrete walk or something. Hardie spells out a lot of details and I have always followed them to the letter.

I have adjustable hangers for use in installing. Solosider, available for different thickness boards. They make it easy to adjust overlaps a little when trying to align different levels.

Hardie recommends installing their product only at temperatures above 30 F. I think the reason was because at temperatures lower than that caulks and paints may not adhere properly.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 30 Oct 2022 15:57
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I like cement fiber lap siding as part of the complete siding. Trim, fascia and soffits all done in cement fiber is approved for most locales with wildfire specific requirements. That is most of where we are located.

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 30 Oct 2022 17:03 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Resided an entire house with hardie planks, as mention, respirator, just a covid type mask isnt enough, very dusty. Breathing in the dust is dangerous (silicosis). The butts, there is now a thin shingle that goes under the joint to keep water out. The stuff we had, had the line formed into the top so lining up the next plank was a snap.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 30 Oct 2022 22:23
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech
The stuff we had, had the line formed into the top so lining up the next plank was a snap.


The guide lines are nice. The holders allow one person to install full length boards with ease.

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2022 10:05
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Thanks folks. I do intend to use the full system. Siding, window, corner trim n such will all be Allure brand product so it matches.
I was wondering if they still used butt joint connectors, I believe I would rather caulk. Is there any particular brand or variety of caulk that works best?
Yeah the cold n caulk is going to be my biggest challenge. I could and probably will need to go back n recaulk or caulk in the spring. But feel I need to get full debth on the ends of the butt joints.

snobdds
Member
# Posted: 31 Oct 2022 16:28
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I didn't calk. I just used roofing felt cut into squares to put behind the joint.

I did calk where the butt ends tie into the trim boards, but in the field, I just used the roofing felt.

It's good stuff and holds paint really well. I am in the middle of the national forest in Wyoming. We got a tag that tells other fire fighters the cabin is defendable for wild fires.

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